We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.

Does Everyone Have a Unique Tongue Print?

Updated May 17, 2024
Our promise to you
WiseGEEK is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At WiseGEEK, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

Everyone has a unique set of fingerprints (yes, even identical twins). For decades, this anatomical fact has been invaluable in the fields of forensics and criminal justice, where "prints" are widely used for identifying suspects. Fingerprints have an important use for law-abiding citizens, too, as they provide biometric identification for technology such as smartphones.

Yet there's another part of the human body that is just as unique – and arguably better for identification purposes. Just as everyone has their own set of fingerprints, every human tongue has its own distinctive appearance.

Tongue characteristics such as shape and texture are different for every individual. Some people have short tongues, while others have longer ones. Regarding texture, the layout of ridges, wrinkles, and marks found on the tongue differs for every person.

In addition to their use in forensics, tongue prints could one day form the basis for highly reliable personal security measures. While fingerprints and even iris patterns could be copied without a person’s permission, the tongue is a far less accessible target for counterfeiting or identity theft. This makes the human tongue an ideal candidate for identification purposes, though you're not likely to hear police asking suspects to stick out their tongues anytime soon.

All hail the unique tongue:

  • Numerous biometric systems are used for security reasons, including the retinal scan, palm print scan, voice analysis, fingerprints, and facial scan. Each of these methods, however, is somewhat vulnerable to security breaches. Fingerprints, for example, can be eroded and altered. Voices can change due to a variety of reasons, such as illness. The uniqueness of a person’s tongue makes it an ideal identifier.

  • Technology for tongue analysis includes the use of a high-tech digital camera that is capable of recording extremely small details in bright colors. Another method, known as pixel fusion technology, is able to show the tongue’s most subtle details. Software can also be utilized to analyze high-resolution images to create maps and graphs of the tongue's unique features.

  • Men typically have longer and wider tongues than women. Muscle fibers in the tongue also differ between the sexes.

WiseGEEK is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Discussion Comments

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.